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For how long can the aquarium stand with out the filter running due to electricity failure? What is the effect

Do I need to replace all the canister filter media?

Public Comments

1. the bacteria in the filter will begin to die, so when it comes back on, if it has been more than 12 hours, there may be an ammonia spike. don't replace any media, just treat your tank as if its going through the nitrogen cycle with fish. you may lose more delicate fish in this process, you'll really need to keep on top of very regular partial water changes (every day or every other day). it is essential to make sure the filter media remains wet within the tank water! if it dries out, it will speed up bacteria death. if you have a large tank with expensive fish, and in an area known for power outages, invest in a back-up generator!
2. Yes..catx is right...there will be ammonia spikes if filter is out for more than 12 hours...so watch out closely for that...
3. The other problem with power outages is that the water is no longer being agitated by filter or air pump output. Most of the oxygen that the fish "breathe" out of the water is dissolved into the water by surface agitation. It's best to have a battery operated air pump you can use to put bubbles into the aquarium if the normal circulators (filter/air pump) are knocked out. If you do not have a back up air pump, take a gallon or two of water out of the aquarium every hour or so and slowly pour it back in across the entire surface of the tank to agitate the water.
4. our power was out for 4 days once... i did nothing the first day (day long black outs are pretty common) but on the 2nd and 3rd days i did a 50% weater change and our neighbor let everyone on the block use their generator for an hour a day (thankfuly) so that was plit between the 3 areas of the house that i have tanks (bedroom, living room, and basement) and the fridges i would say it's good for a day or two (cause it's a canister it can't get oxygen to the media without cirulation, my filters were HOB's) bu tthe tank should last pretty long if you do at least daily water changes and preferably can get a generator or a battery operated air pump
5. Around 12 hours, Oxygen will start to dissipate in the tank unless you have live plants in it, that is what I would worry about, you can go about a day without the filter and the heater if you live in a warm climate, as it is getting warm outside , I would keep the tank covered with a blanket to hold in any heat it may lose and use live plants to sustain oxygen. You may loose some bacteria in the cartridge but you do not need to replace them, just treat your tank as you would if you were cycling it with water changes.